d emotion. On the few
occasions on which she had met Griselda Grantly at Framley they had
not much progressed in friendship, and Lucy had felt that she had
been despised by the rich beauty. She also in her turn had disliked,
if she had not despised, her rival. But how would it be now? Lady
Dumbello could hardly despise her, and yet it did not seem possible
that they should meet as friends. They did meet, and Lucy came
forward with a pretty eagerness to give her hand to Lady Lufton's
late favourite. Lady Dumbello smiled slightly--the same old smile
which had come across her face when they two had been first
introduced in the Framley drawing-room; the same smile without the
variation of a line,--took the offered hand, muttered a word or
two, and then receded. It was exactly as she had done before. She
had never despised Lucy Robarts. She had accorded to the parson's
sister the amount of cordiality with which she usually received her
acquaintance; and now she could do no more for the peer's wife. Lady
Dumbello and Lady Lufton have known each other ever since, and have
occasionally visited at each other's houses, but the intimacy between
them has never gone beyond this.

The dowager came up to town for about a month, and while there was
contented to fill a second place. She had no desire to be the great
lady in London. But then came the trying period when they commenced
their life together at Framley Court. The elder lady formally
renounced her place at the top of the table,--formally persisted in
renouncing it though Lucy with tears implored her to resume it. She
said also, with equal formality--repeating her determination over and
over again to Mrs. Robarts with great energy,--that she would in no
respect detract by interference of her own from the authority of the
proper mistress of the house; but, nevertheless, it is well known to
every one at Framley that old Lady Lufton still reigns paramount in
the parish.

"Yes, my dear; the big room looking into the little garden to the
south was always the nursery; and if you ask my advice, it will still
remain so. But, of course, any room you please--"

And the big room looking into the little garden to the south is still
the nursery at Framley Court.

***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRAMLEY PARSONAGE***

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